Shelly Hinson

Dr. Hinson has had a multi-faceted career in recreation and higher education for over 35 years. Her education and career began in recreation while earning her B.A. in Recreation and working in Campus Recreation at Kent State University. Dr. Hinson has worked in city parks and recreation, overnight camps, and large event planning. Event planning was a primary element in her first professional position as a residence hall director. As a Director of Student Leadership she led student outdoor adventure trips, presented leadership workshops, and oversaw over 200 student organizations. For two years she served as Co-chair of Partners In Campus Life, a special events team that created "mega" campus-wide events at East Carolina University. Academic advising and career counseling round out her experience in student services. Both experiences have allowed her to assist students with resume writing, job searching, and interviewing skills. Dr. Hinson's drive to teach caused her to leave university administration and she became an adjunct instruction with UNCW's Tourism, Recreation, and Sports program in 2015. She became a full-time lecturer in 2021, teaching many of the core courses in the major.

Education

B. A. in Recreation & Leisure Services, Kent State University, Kent, Ohio
M.Ed. in Higher Education Leadership, Kent State University, Kent, Ohio
Ed.D. in Higher Education Leadership, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC

Specialization in Teaching

Dr. Hinson teaches several foundational core courses in the Tourism, Recreation, and Sport major, including Program Planning, Leadership & Management, Marketing, Inclusive Recreation, and Budgeting and Financial Management. In addition, she teaches College & Professional Sports Management and MEEC (Meeting, Events, Exhibitions, and Conventions). Dr. Hinson has co-led study abroad trips to Greece.

Research Interests

Dr. Hinson's interests include college student success, career development, large event planning and management, and leadership development.

Professional Service

Member, North Carolina Association of Festivals and Events
Member, Crystal Coast Past President's Council, North Carolina College Personnel Association
President & Past-President, North Carolina College Personnel Association
Co-Chair, North Carolina LEAD Conference, state-wide student leadership conference
Has served and chaired numerous committees including the Intramural & Campus Recreation, Student Advisory Board at Kent State University, Partners in Campus Life at East Carolina University, and Academic Standards at UNCW.

Community Engagement

Each semester Dr. Hinson oversees service learning experiences for her students with the Wilmington Residential Adolescent Achievement Program, an after-school program for at-risk youth in Wilmington. She has coordinated student volunteer opportunities with Rise-Up Community Farm.
She has made numerous connections throughout the community to assist students with practicum and internship placement. Examples include establishing relationships with staff from the Wilmington Convention Center, Embassy Suites Downtown Wilmington, i9Sports, Oceanfest in Surf City, the Cape Fear Adventure Company, Halyburton Park, and the North Carolina Pickle Festival.

Honors & Awards

Member, Omicron Delta Leadership Honorary
Outstanding Contribution to the Professional, North Carolina College Personnel Association
Nominee, Outstanding Professional, First-Year Student Programs
Outstanding Presentations, North Carolina Housing Officers and Southeast Association of Housing Officers Conferences
Outstanding Service, Campus Life, East Carolina University
Outstanding Student Leader